Kent County, DE- Delaware State Police have confirmed the human remains recovered from the backyard of a residence in the 25000 block of Schuyler Road, Henderson, MD, on February 16, 2022, were positively identified through the Maryland Division of Forensic Science as Jennifer Leyanna, 41, of Felton.

On November 1, 2020, Delaware State Police Troop 3 handled the initial missing person report for the victim, Jennifer Leyanna. According to the reporting person, Leyanna was last seen in the Hartly area and had not been seen or heard from since October 9, 2020. During this lengthy investigation, Delaware State Police Detectives conducted extensive follow-ups, numerous interviews and received countless tips or information on the circumstances and whereabouts of Leyanna. From all of this information obtained, detectives believed the victim was deceased, and her demise may have occurred from criminal actions. Through investigative measures, Leonard “Buddy” Church, 41, of Henderson, MD, was established as a suspect in the murder of Leyanna. On February 16, 2022, Church was taken into custody by Caroline County deputies and was incarcerated in the Maryland Division of Corrections on unrelated criminal charges.

On Monday, February 21, 2022, Leonard “Buddy” Church was extradited from Caroline County Detention Center, Maryland, to Delaware State Police Troop 3 and charged with Murder 1st Degree (Felony).

Church was arraigned in the Justice of the Peace Court and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $2 million cash bond.

This case remains an ongoing investigation. Anyone with additional information or tips is asked to contact Det. Mark Ryde by calling 302-741-2730 or emailing mark.ryde@delaware.gov. Information may also be provided by sending a Private Facebook Message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at http://delaware.crimestoppersweb.com/

Investigation Continues Into 2020 Missing Person Case

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and need assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit/Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline 1800 VICTIM-1. (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Heather Pepper

Released: 022222 1443

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Henderson, MD- On February 16, 2022, the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit, Caroline County Sheriff’s Office, and FBI responded to a residence in the 25000 block of Schuyler Road, Henderson, MD, to follow up on a 2020 missing person case from Delaware. During the course of the investigation, suspected human remains were discovered in the backyard of the residence. The remains were exhumed and turned over to the State of Maryland Forensic Science Division for an autopsy to be performed. A person of interest, in this case, is currently incarcerated in the Maryland Division of Corrections on unrelated criminal charges. 

This case remains an active and ongoing investigation being conducted by Detective Mark Ryde with the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit. 

All names are currently being withheld until proper victim identification, and next of kin notifications can be completed. Once additional information is available, a press release will be issued. 

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and are in need of assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit/Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline 1800 VICTIM-1. (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Heather Pepper

Released: 021722 1136

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South Bowers Beach– On June 30, 2020, at 2:59 p.m., the Delaware State Police responded to the Muderkill River/South Bowers area for a report of two swimmers that had been carried away by the strong water currents.

The investigation revealed 21-year-old Kevin George Jr. of Philadelphia, his brother, 20-year-old Zion George of Tennessee, a 20-year-old female from Philadelphia, and a 20-year-old male from Philadelphia all traveled to the South Bowers Beach area together for a day trip at approximately 2:00 p.m.

The three males entered the water in the Delaware Bay to go swimming during low tide conditions. As they were in the water, the tide changed, and the strong current pulled all three into the Murderkill River. During this time, the Assistant Chief of South Bowers Beach Fire Department Michael Hignutt and his cousin, Timothy Smith, were fishing in the area and heard cries for help.  Both Hignutt and Smith entered the water in an attempt to rescue the swimmers.  Hignutt successfully rescued the 20-year-old male to shore and discovered the female had now entered the water to try and save the other two individuals. The female was then pulled out by the current, and Hignutt successfully rescued her.
Kevin and Zion were unable to be located, and multiple police, fire departments, maritime, and Emergency Medical Service agencies responded to the scene and conducted a search and rescue operation.  As of 9:00 p.m., the brothers were unable to be located, and the search efforts were suspended until 9:00 a.m. on July 1, 2020.

At approximately 9:00 a.m., the operation turned into a search and recovery mission for Kevin and Zion.  At approximately 10:30 a.m., Kevin was located deceased in the Murderkill River in close proximity to where he was last seen.  At 10:45 a.m., Zion was located deceased in the same general area.

The Delaware State Police would like to thank the following agencies for their assistance and support in this multi-agency operation:
South Bowers Beach Volunteer Fire Department, Bowers Beach Volunteer Fire Department, Frederica Volunteer Fire Department, Magnolia Volunteer Fire Department, Little Creek Volunteer Fire Department, Leipsic Volunteer Fire Department, Milford Volunteer Fire Department, Volunteer Fire Departments from New Castle County, Volunteer Scuba Diving Teams from Sussex County Volunteer Fire Departments, United States Coast Guard, and the Kent County Paramedics.

*UPDATE #1* Multi-Agency Operation Searching for Missing Swimmers- South Bowers Beach

Multi-Agency Operation Searching for Missing Swimmers- South Bowers Beach

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and are in need of assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit/Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll free hotline 1800 VICTIM-1. (1800 842-8461).  You may also email the unit Director at debra.reed@state.de.us.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Heather Pepper

Released: 070120 1447

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South Bowers– Multiple police, fire, maritime, and EMS agencies are currently on scene of missing swimmers that occurred at approximately 2:59 p.m., Tuesday, June 30, 2020, in which multiple individuals entered the Murderkill River in the area of the 4000 block of South Bowers Beach Rd.

This is an active operation and the investigation is in the early stages. Further details will be released as they become available.

Presented by Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Heather Pepper

Released:063020 1730

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Bethany Beach, DE – The Delaware State Police Homicide Unit is continuing to investigate the missing person report involving Sheila Doyle, 66, of Fairfax, Virginia. Sheila was last seen at her second residence in the Salt Pond section of Bethany Beach on June 15, 2020 at approximately 1:00 p.m. Sheila was in the company of her son Brian Doyle, 35, of Burke, Virginia.

At this point in the investigation, Sheila is believed to be deceased and Brian is the suspect in her death. Brian was found deceased on June 17, 2020 by the Fairfax County (VA) Police Department.

Sheila Doyle is 5’06”, 130 lbs with brown hair. Sheila’s vehicle, which has been recovered, is a black 2020 Buick Enclave with Virginia registration UKZ7235 (stock photo attached). Brian Doyle was 6’05”, 250 lbs with brown hair worn in a buzzcut. The 8’x10’ rug pictured below was missing from Sheila’s residence in Bethany Beach.

Through investigative measures, it is known that Brian stopped in the following areas on the afternoon of June 16, 2020:

Primehook Road, east of Milton

US Route 113 in Milford

Middle Run Valley Nature Area, north of Newark

White Clay Creek State Park, north of Newark

If anyone has information in reference to this incident, they are asked to contact Detective Daniel Grassi at (302) 365-8441. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet at www.tipsubmit.com, or by sending an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword “DSP.”

The Homicide Unit would like to thank Delmarva Search & Rescue, a volunteer organization, for their continued assistance in this investigation.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and are in need of assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit/Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll free hotline 1800 VICTIM-1. (1800 842-8461).  You may also email the unit Director at debra.reed@state.de.us.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Heather Pepper

Released: 062920 1100

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Camden- The Delaware State Police are continuing their search for Lois L. Rodriguez, 52, of Camden, DE who has been missing for over 7 years (photo from 2010).

Lois Rodriguez was reported missing to the Delaware State Police on May 31, 2012.  She was reported to have been last seen on this date at the Dover International Speedway. Lois finished working a shift during race weekend and never returned home.

Lois Rodriguez is described has 5’06” tall, 130 lbs., with blonde hair and blue eyes.  Lois’s last known address was in the Camden, DE area, however she was known to frequent the Eastern Shore of Maryland, specifically the Aberdeen area, and also had contacts in Pennsylvania.

Since Lois was reported missing, she has not attempted to contact family or friends and their concerns for her welfare continue to remain.

The investigation into this case continues to remain active and ongoing.  If anyone recognizes Lois Rodriguez or has information on her whereabouts, they are asked to please contact Troop 3, Major Crimes Unit, Detective Blomquist at (302) 698-8426.  Information may also be provided by calling Delaware crime stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at http://www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Melissa Jaffe

Released: 021320 1907

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New Castle – The Delaware State Police have located 14 year old Tiara Wilson of New Castle.

Troopers Attempting to Locate Missing Juvenile – New Castle

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin

Released:021120 0415

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New Castle – The Delaware State Police are attempting to locate 14 year old Tiara Wilson of New Castle, who was last seen at approximately 2:40 p.m., Monday, February 10, 2020, when she got off her school bus at the intersection of Montpelier Blvd. and Powhatan Rd. in the Jefferson Farms neighborhood of New Castle.

Tiara is described as a black female, 5’5″ tall, 100 lbs. and was last seen wearing a dark gray jacket, royal blue long sleeve shirt, blue jeans, teal blue sneakers and eyeglasses. Attempts to locate or communicate with Tiara have been unsuccessful and there is a concern for her safety and welfare.

Anyone with information regarding Tiara’s whereabouts are asked to contact Troop 2 by calling 302-834-2620 or by calling 911.

http://www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin

Released:021020 2310

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New Castle – The Delaware State Police are attempting to locate four year old Aliyah Fassett, and have issued an arrest warrant for her biological mother, 37 year old Andrea Brickhouse, for failing to relinquish custody.

On October 16, 2018, New Castle County Family Court issued an order granting custody of Aliyah to the Division of Family Services (DFS). Brickhouse was advised of the ruling but has refused to comply with numerous requests to meet with DFS caseworkers, to turn over custody. Attempts to locate Brickhouse have since been unsuccessful.

Aliyah is described as a black female, 3’00” tall and weighs approximately 30 lbs. No photograph available.

Brickhouse is known to frequent the Wilton area of New Castle and also has ties to the City of Wilmington.  Information obtained by DFS advised that Aliyah was last seen with Brickhouse on todays date in the 2000 block of N. Market St., Wilmington.

A warrant is on file charging Brickhouse with one count of Interference of Custody of a Child Under the Age of 16.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Aliyah or Brickhouse are asked to contact Cpl. J. Fischetti at Troop 2 by calling 302-834-2620, or by calling 911. The DFS caseworker can be reached at 302-781-6260.

Information may also be provided by calling Delaware crime stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at http://www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin

Released:110718 1855

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